Wichita eagle., 1887-08-03
FOUND DEAD.
James Priest, an Aged Resident. KILLED IN the
Aanta Ee Yards Yesterday Afternoon.

James Priest, an Aged Resident. KILLED IN the
santa Fe Yards Yesterday Afternoon.
Yesterday afternoon obout 2:30 the body
of an aged man was found dead in the yards
of the Santa Fe, just north OF the elevator,
between First and Second streets When
first seen he was lying with his head towards
the east and his feet to the west; the right
side of his head was crushed and the blood
was flowing freely from the wound. He was
unknown to those who were fin { at the scene
of the accident, but was afterward recog-
nized as James Priest, and his booy was
taken to his home on North Washington
avenue.
The deceased was man about 20 years OF
age. and has been FOR fifteen years resident
of Wichita. He had gathered competence
and upon this lived with his family IN very
pleasant home on Washington avenue. DE
gave most Of his time to the care OF
poultry and also supplied the neighbors
with butter and milk. He was seen
by one of the neighbors to leave his home Win
a party shortly before the occurrence OF
the fatal accident. His aged wife has been
very low for some time; but recently wes
somewhat recovering. The unexpected
death of her husband, it is feared, will be
blow that will bring her, too, to the grave.
As soon as the news of the death reached
Coroner Vineyard, he summoned jury ana
an inquest was held The facts, as brought
out there, perhaps best explain the accident
William E. Killer, q swltchman OF the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe was hrst
called and said: Today about Z:oo
O'Clock we were switching with engine
No. 40. the Wichita & Western train
number g. looking toward the engine saw
man under the wheel Of box car. Inc
car under which / saw him was about the
eighteenth from the engine, but they were
not coupled to the engine. The car was
coming south, and was about car and
half's length from him. / did not go to the
injured man, but Immediately for the officer
The wheel that ran over him was the first
wheel on the south end Of the two cars cut
off. These two were going aboutfour or fve
miles an hour did not notice if the bell OF
the engine was or was not ringing; was, In
fact, too far away, thirty or forty cars back.
He made no outcry or noise, and when first l
saw him he was struggling, but after the first
two wheels had passed over him he made no
further effort"
William Willy, another switch
man, said: % I was just pulling out
of the Wichita and Western
track when l saw a boy about IA or u years
of age having hold of aman's feet and trying
to pull him away from the rail. This boy
signaled me to stop, and stopped the train
/ then went up to the man, found him lying
on the west side of the main track, dead. At
the time | first saw him l was about six car
lengths north on the east side. just before
this time two cars had been cut from the
train and were going south When L got to
him the two cars had passed south and stop
ped about two or three cars length from the
body"
1t is thought that the inquest will be re-
sumed this morning.
Mr. M. W. Priest, son of the deceased, was
seen last night He says his father when he
left his home was accompanied by himself
and wife, his daughter, Mrs. John 1nman
and Mr.. Inman. They came together to
Third, there the old gentleman left and
started across the yard of the Santa Fe.
They took the north eide of Third came to
Fourth and never saw the old gentleman
after wards alive.